However, his journey is a stark warning to other young men who may be too afraid to tell a parent or doctor about similar concerns.

Today Craig, who is now 20, is sharing his story so it might help save the lives of other young men who will be hit by this cancer in Northern Ireland.

"I would say definitely check yourself regularly," said Craig, from East Belfast.

"What young people think is that cancer is for people who are old and what not. I am living proof it can happen at any time. Testicular cancer targets young people so definitely check yourself every month," he said.

"I just felt a pain in my testicle and I just thought it was an ache, but then the next day I felt the pain again and I thought 'ok I have to ask someone'.

"So I had the awkward conversation with my mum and she said we would go and get it checked out," he added.

Craig Lindsay during treatment

Craig first felt the pain in November 2013 but was told it was nothing to be concerned about and was given antibiotics. But the former Lagan College pupil knew something was not right and pushed to be seen privately.

In January last year he had his first private appointment but a scan failed to show anything. It was not until March last year when Crag went to see the doctor again that something was picked up on the second scan and his world was turned upside down.

Craig said: "A part of me thought it was that, that's why I said to go private and kept pushing for it. I was told to take antibiotics, I asked what's the odds of it being something sinister. I think only 5% of people with testicular cancer feel pain.

"One day the doctor checked and I felt he had a look on his face and then he said 'we need to talk about tumours', and he explained it to me, what it could be, the process I go through and called my mum and explained it to her.

"It was very scary but don't think it hit me going through treatment, it has only hit me recently what I have been through. When I look back I just think, wow.

"Especially when I tell people and they say, 'how old are you, you are so young'. Because of the cancer it gets people who are aged 15-30 primarily. With other types of cancer there's a lot of awareness, but testicular cancer there's nothing. I just knew to check for lumps."

Craig had surgery to remove his testicle on March 10 after being diagnosed on March 7, 2014. He then went through three cycles of chemotherapy which started in mid April last year and finished in mid June last year.

"I was diagnosed on the Friday and had surgery on the Monday, then for the chemotherapy I was in for three days one week then two weeks at home," said Craig.

Throughout it all Craig and his mum Viv, dad David, and girlfriend Roslyn were supported by the charity Friends of the Cancer Centre, who are celebrating their 30th anniversary this month.

The charity fund anything the centre needs, from equipment to clinical nurse specialists like Renee Reid who supported Craig and his family through his treatment.

Craig Lindsay with Renee Reid, Friends of the Cancer Centre’s clinical nurse specialist for teenagers and young adults

"When I was going through the treatment I thought 'oh it is very good nursing care', and thought that was the norm but stepping back I know it's not," said Craig.

"There's other centres that do not have the treatment and care that there is here. Looking back and looking at my journey, it was bumpy but pretty smooth because of the charity and care that's above and beyond what you would get.

"I did the Belfast City Marathon relay in May with my brother, sister, sister's boyfriend and one of their friends. I got the glory leg at the end. it was quite emotional.

"My energy levels are still not great but we walked it together and raised £1,100 for the charity. I got an email saying I was in the top 5% of fundraisers.

"It was very emotional going through. I was thinking where I was this time last year and how far I have come, I was getting teary-eyed," he added.

Craig was diagnosed with stage three testicular cancer as the disease had spread from his testicle to his lungs and the lymph nodes behind his stomach.

Craig Lindsay during treatment

"It was tough, I knew chemo was not going to be easy," he said.

"The first couple hit me pretty hard. I think after the second and third I knew what to expect but still completely floored me.

"I had to wait until July 8, that's when I went for my final check up, that's when I was given the all clear and told I was in remission. My mum came out and was crying, I was telling her to stop because it looked like we had bad news.

"It still had not hit me until recently, it is all one big rush in my head because it feels like it all happened so quickly then afterwards when it slowed down, I just thought it's life-changing what I have been through."

Craig said his energy levels are now improving and he can do a lot more than he used to. He has now started back to work, something he could not have consider doing just a few months ago.

"It is all about baby steps but they are all steps forward," said Craig.

"I am doing a few hours in my mum's school, St Joseph's Primary in Carryduff, as a dinner man."

He is a few years behind at school now, but now has plans of going to university to study languages. Firstly Craig hopes to return to college in September to complete his A-Levels before going on to study Spanish with a second language at university with a view to teaching.

At the moment Craig needs to return to the hospital for check ups every two months and will be under the careful watch of doctors for the next 10 years.

"That to me is a massive safety net and reassurance," he said.

"If something comes back it is going to be picked up within months. It's good to know I can come back here or call Renee if I have any worries."

Craig Lindsay during treatment

Craig said he could not find the words to explain how much the centre and the charity had done for him during his treatment and said he now wants to help raise awareness for his type of cancer and the charity.

He said: "I would say without the charity I would not be as confident as I am now. I would not be as calm as I am now and I would not be open and talk about it.

"I have been able to talk about it openly and I have been very at home here and Renee was very much there for my family as well as me. If my mum had concerns she would speak to her. The charity is great for the family as well and you felt like you were part of a family with them. I do not think I would be here in one piece without the charity."

In a final word of warning for any other young people with similar health concerns, Craig said: "I just think for anyone else who is concerned, definitely get it checked. If you even have small bit of doubt, even just for peace of mind and your health. That was one big thing for me, I was told it was nothing but I thought no I knew it and got it checked.

Craig Lindsay with his brother and sister when he got the all clear

"I am glad I did it, I don't know how long it would have been before I was diagnosed otherwise.

"Women are more open and talk about things, guys keep it to themselves which I think is not that good."

Craig says he is now like a spokesperson amongst his friends who ask him for advice now when it comes to checking themselves.

"All my friends are extremely supportive and my girlfriend as well, they were all there for me.

"You don't realise how great your group of friends are until you come through something like this."